The Little Death 12

French highways usually weren`t that crowded and in addition, it was the midst of night and so, Mike had managed to reach Reims at 5:30 am. At a petrol station, he had had a quick breakfast and then, he had phoned Bishop. Mike had found a grim pleasure by waking up his former superior, but to his slight surprise, Bishop had answered the call at the second ringing.

»Mike!«, he gasped, not bothering with wishing Mike a Good Morning, »Please, tell me you are in and ready to go!«

»Good Morning, Sir! Actually, I am already in France, some 800 miles away from Nice!«

There was a short break that made Mike frown. Then, Bishop asked:

»So, you are sitting in a plane?«

»No. I decided to stay on the earth and to combine this mission with a bike trip!«

Again, Bishop took a few breaths before he said:

»So, you are quite flexible in where to go next?«

»I am, indeed«, Mike answered with a drawling voice. He prided himself of a certain flexibility, but under the given conditions, Bishop`s question could only mean that the shit had hit the fan, as the Americans said. He waited in silence until Bishop gave him more information:

»As you may consider, my affair with Cassandra didn`t go unnoticed. However, I always thought that people were only thinking of it as me enjoying the favor of a girl half my age – which was true, as far as I thought!«

»So, someone got a clue that Cassandra used her – privileged position to get more than just a few expensive presents«, Mike quickly concluded and he could imagine how Bishop silently nodded, his head lowered.

»It turned out that someone else got suspicious about her activities – Amelia Thorne!«

»Aka Amazing Amy!«

Since Mike had left the service a few years ago and Amelia Thorne was two years younger than him, he and her had only worked together for some eight months, but this had been enough for him to build an opinion. »Amazing Amy« was intelligent, skilled and ambitious. So far, nothing unusual, but she also had a tendency to search for mistakes her colleagues made and then to use that against them.

So, if Amy knew about Cassandra being a double agent, this could mean two things: either, that she had denigrated Bishop or that she was trying to catch Cassandra by herself.

»At Saturday, she confronted me about what she had found out about Cassandra. Amelia didn`t know about the details, but she knows that Cassandra has left to meet with a representative of a foreign power.«

»And now, it`s Monday. When did you intend to tell me?«, Mike asked.

»She made me an offer I could hardly refuse! She would keep her mouth shut about my role in the affair and therefore, she would get all the merits for catching a spy!«

Mike took a deep breath.

»So, what is it? Do you want to tell me that I shall cancel my trip and enjoy sightseeing in Northern France whilst Amy will take care of Cassandra?«

He wasn`t sure whether the strange sound Bishop made was a scoff or a sigh.

»It turned out that Amelia left for Nice immediately after she had spoken to me! I have someone who`s observing the hotel for me, though he can only do so from the distance. Well, this guy told me that yesterday, Cassandra and her bodyguard checked out quite abruptly and left for an unknown destination! Seems that Cassandra has recognized Amelia and got nervous!«

Bishop continued by telling Mike that the man who had observed the hotel had not been able to follow Cassandra, but had managed to bribe himself into her hotel room – only to run into Amy.

»She was disguised as a chamber maid, but this did not prevent her from breaking two of his ribs before escaping. However, it seems that Cassandra has left a clue! On the nightstand, my man found a copy of ›The Count of Monte Cristo‹!«

»Well, luckily it isn`t ›Around the World in 80 Days‹«, Mike joked grimly whilst he rummaged through his memories of Dumas` famous novel. The island mentioned in the title really existed, though the main plot took part in Paris. However, the novel started at another town: Marseille.

»Have you talked about that specific book before?«, he asked and Bishop told him that he only knew Cassandra had liked it and started to read it in the French original when they had begun to plan their trip to Nice.

»It must be hard to read. Usually, she`s a quick reader, but after a week, she was still stuck in the first 100 pages!«

Mike interrupted him.

»I`ve got an idea! If it is just fantasy, you owe me nothing but my expenses. I will call you tomorrow!«

Mike ended the call, his brain working fast as he slowly walked back towards his bike. If Cassandra had taken her time for the first part of the book, it could also mean that she had been fascinated by it. And he knew which part had fascinated him the most when he had read the book as a boy: the protagonist`s escape from prison.

In »The Count of Monte Cristo«, young Edmond Dantes falls victim to an intrigue by some people he considers his friends and ends up in Chateau d`If for 14 years before he manages to escape, finds a treasure and can exact revenge on the traitors. The story was fiction, but the prison island called Chateau d`If was real. It was located in the Bay of Marseille and now was used as a museum.

»Marseille! It seems that all women who somehow play a role in my life seem to gather there – Belle, Lioba and now also Cassandra!«

***

 »Well, well, I have to admit that this came as a surprise to me!«

Ingrid looked at Luana and Sophia who were sitting side by side at the breakfast table, both stark naked, but unrestrained except for ankle cuffs. Both had greedily drunk the offered water, but yet, none of them had touched their food and they avoided to look at each other or at the blonde German.

»I mean, Luana really couldn`t help using any vent possible for her arousal!«

She paused and then placed her hand on Sophia`s shoulder.

»Hey, by saying ›any vent‹, I didn`t want to say you are ugly – it`s just that I always considered Luana as straight.«

Ingrid turned towards Luana:

»Have you denied your true colors or was it just the power of LD?«

Her eyes wandered over the two captives who now showed some signs of tension, in addition to their disheveled state. Both girls looked as if they were an illustration of the word »postcoital«.

In fact, when Luana had more and more given in to the effects of the drug, Sophia had also reacted and rubbed her naked sweaty body against Luana`s, pulled on their combined crotch straps and wriggled her hips. They had kissed and more and more, Sophia no longer had had to fake her arousal. They hadn`t reached the peak at the same moment, but when Ingrid had entered the cell, both had been panting from blissful exhaustion.

Ingrid had been observing their passion via the observation camera for quite a while. In fact, she had gotten carried away by the sight and it was only because she had forced herself to take an ice cold shower before leaving her room that she didn`t show a similar expression than her captives.

Her arousal, however, had mostly been caused by the fact that they maybe were close to a breakthrough. If Luana was straight, but could be aroused against her will to an extent where she made love to another girl, this version of LD was indeed powerful. The only question was why Sophia had reacted, too. According to what Ingrid knew, the French was into men, too.

Before she could say something, the door opened and Lan entered, followed by Sistine. The latter was stark naked and sported wrist and ankle cuffs together with the gag mask. When Lan made her sit on one of the empty chairs, she reared up slightly; obviously, her buttocks were still sore. And yet, she was quiet when Lan ungagged her and seemed to have good appetite, too.

»Whilst you were playing with our new guest, I already did some research. It seems that Luana is very responsive to the latest prototype of LD!«

The conversation was continued in whispers and Luana just sat motionless, staring at her untouched breakfast. She felt Sophia`s knee touch hers, hidden by the table`s plate. Still, Luana wasn`t sure whether Sophia`s plan would work, but it was the only idea they had so far. Luana carefully looked to her right and moved her hand a bit, so it touched Sophia`s.

As if she had been touched by a red hot iron, Sophia twitched and moved her chair away a few inches.

»Don`t you touch me!«, she breathed. Luana gasped, but they both glimpsed at Ingrid who now could not hide a broad smile.

»Sophia, dear! What`s up? Trouble in Paradise?«

Sophia stared at her, her chest heaving. Then, she buried her head in her arms and sobbed whilst Luana looked at Ingrid with hatred. The blonde licked her lips.

»So, it has really been the LD speaking and not your hidden desires!«

In a comic, her pupils would now have turned into Dollar signs. If the active ingredient could raise the level of arousal of a woman to a point where she not only threw herself on anyone available, no matter what sex, but also could carry along her unwilling partner, they were close to success!

Ingrid forced herself to calm down a bit. Sure, it was possible that Sophia had just compensated her fear and helplessness and in addition, Luana sure was the more dominant of the two. But they definitely had turned the reluctant Taiwanese into a volcano.

She stepped over to the still sobbing Sophia and slapped her shoulder in a jovial way that caused a smacking sound.

»Come on, it was your work that gave the final impulse! I have to admit that we had been at a dead point before you joined our team!«

Sophia raised her head and wiped over her eyes. Since they hadn`t given her back her glasses, she blinked when looking at Ingrid and her voice sounded hoarse:

»So, does that mean you will now – get rid of us?«

Ingrid produced a diabolical laughter that made Sophia shiver. Then, from one second to the other, she stopped and, with a surprisingly friendly smile, she playfully squeezed Sophia`s cheek.

»Just kidding, Sweet Cheeks! No, why should we kill someone who is of such great use to us? Besides, we are not finished. We still need the results from Leduc`s work, but I am sure Lioba will get them for us soon! But once we have developed a satisfying prototype, we will get to a better, much bigger lab where we will produce LD by the millions. And you will join us! Shanghai is said to be lovely in winter!«

For a few moments, she and Sophia looked at each other in silence. Then, the French spoke, still sounding hoarse, but her voice was steady:

»If you want my future – cooperation, I have some demands!«

Ingrid chuckled, feeling like a grown man who was told to mind his own business by a child. Then, raising an eyebrow, she asked:

»Which demands?«

»Clothes – both for me and Luana! Further, a stop of tests on one of us – at least until we have evaluated the works of Professor Leduc!«

Though stark naked, being seven inches smaller than Ingrid and still blinking, Sophia managed to express determination. After a few seconds, Ingrid nodded.

»Granted. After all, we still have Sistine!«

The Policewoman gasped, but at the next moment, she felt Lan`s hand on her shoulder and the Chinese said:

»Only under my personal observation!«

Ingrid raised an eyebrow. She had suspected why Lan had taken the buxom brunette to her room for the night and now, her suspicion seemed to be proven. She shrugged.

»Okay, okay! After all, we will have millions of Guinea Pigs once we are in China! Now, I will phone Bao whether he has already heard from Lioba!«

Her eyes wandered over to Greg and she purred:

»Maybe, I should use LD myself and find out if it really makes me forget about all my standards!«

She left the room, swaying her hips. As usual, Greg said nothing, but the look in his eyes showed he was at least considering to choose another employer.

***

Before they went to the laboratory, Lioba quickly excused to Amir and rushed for her office. She had remembered that there would be further instructions waiting for her and indeed, there was a small red envelope in her letter box. Lioba also picked her lab coat, but resisted the urge to put it on. For risking his job to help her, Amir had earned a look at her shapely body.

The Algerian opened the door of Leduc`s office for her and obviously wanted to wait for her. Lioba cursed silently: her excuse with the Petri dishes had been plausible, but now, the man waited for her to get said dishes and to follow him to the cryogenic chamber to which also only he had the keys.

»Just a minute!«

She rushed inside and let the door fall shut. As Lioba had hoped, Amir was too polite to follow her inside and so, she could have a look around. Leduc`s lab was messy, even in comparison to Lioba`s apartment, but she finally found what she had been looking for: two Styrofoam boxes. She sighed, for these were stowed in a low compartment. As she crouched, the crotch rope tightened and Lioba groaned even louder.

»Is everything all right, Dr. Karnstein?«, Amir asked from outside. Blushing, Lioba grabbed one of the boxes and put a few glass bowls in it before closing the lid. Then, she pressed it against her belly and thrust out her chest so her dress tightened over her breasts. She opened the door and, forcing herself to smile, she asked:

»Amir, I am afraid the Professor has been a bit – over productive! I could only get half of the dishes into the box and the other dishes still have to be properly cataloged.«

Lioba cocked her head and again played the »damsel in distress«-card. As she hoped, Amir asked whether he should bring the box to the cryogenic chamber whilst she was getting the second box ready.

»Only if you allow me to invite you for lunch in the cafeteria!«

Amir insisted it was a pleasure to him to help her and Lioba dropped a slight curtsey when handing him the box. The man was too fascinated by her legs to notice her strained look. Once he had turned around, Lioba rushed back inside Leduc`s room.

»If Amir`s married, his wife will kill me!«

The cryogenic chamber was in the adjacent building which would give her 15 to 20 minutes to look for whatever Leduc had left behind. Quickly, Lioba put a few empty dishes into the second box and closed it. Then, she ripped open the envelope. The message was short:

»Once you have found Leduc`s data, get back to your apartment and wait for my men to fetch it. Don`t talk to anyone, or Sophia will suffer before her premature death.«

Lioba crumpled the note and dropped it. Somehow, the lack of puns in Ingrid`s words told her that she was serious about killing Sophia. So, she started to look for anything that looked like it contained the results of Leduc`s research.

The Professor was a bit paranoid about his work, but he also was a modern scientist and so, he of course used a computer. His laptop was standing on a desk, but Lioba knew that he usually saved his data on a USB stick and took it with him having deleted every hint on the laptop. It was laborious and to get the information would have been a piece of cake for a professional hacker, but it was effective in keeping anyone who occasionally stumbled into his private lab from getting a glimpse of his work.

»Think, girl, think!«, Lioba told herself. Without really noticing it, she let her hand slide under the skirt of her dress and she tried to ease the crotch rope a bit.

»Of course, I could take the laptop with me – but then, Amir would become more than suspicious and she doubted that all her charms would persuade him to just forget about her stealing from the Professor.

»Wait a minute!«

Her eyes fell on something that looked like a microwave, but instead of a countdown, the display remained steadily on »37«. It was a special contraption that allowed storing ingredients at a constant temperature – and she knew that one of the components they were working with showed the best effects if it was stored on body temperature.

Lioba peeked through the oven`s glass and saw some small transparent plastic bags that contained a white powder. They looked a bit like cocaine bags. Lioba checked her watch and she guessed that Amir had gone some five minutes ago. Hastily, she took one of the bags and went for the microscope where she put some of the powder on a small glass plate.

It would have taken Lioba an electron microscope and some additional research to find out what Leduc had developed, but even under a normal microscope, she could tell that this was the active ingredient of LD they had been working on – almost. It was impossible to see details, but definitely, this wasn`t what Sophia and she had been working with, but some – further development!

»There goes my scientific career!«

Lioba doubted that Leduc would consider Sophia`s life as an excuse for stealing his work. However, she had little choice. She removed the glass plate from the microscope and then reached for one of the still sealed plastic bags. At least, Leduc would have some for his research, too.

Her first idea was to put the bag into her handbag, but then, she hesitated: the ingredient needed a constant temperature of 37 degrees. Body temperature.

For a moment, she considered carrying the bag in her hand, but it would look strange to Amir if she walked around with a balled fist and in addition, it would be difficult to drive that way. She would have to find another hideout.

Gritting her teeth, Lioba lifted her skirt and pushed the bag between her pubic mound and the tight crotch rope. It was a small item, but it was a bit scratchy and felt more than awkward. Lioba heard steps and found just enough time to pluck up her dress and to get the Styrofoam box for Amir.

Five minutes later, Lioba was on her way to her car, hoping no one would watch her sit down. On every step, the plastic bag hidden under her dress chaffed her pubic area.

»Perhaps, I should have swallowed the bag!«

She knew that drug dealers sometimes smuggled their stuff that way, but she knew that this would have been a bad decision. Lioba didn`t really fear that the bag would have dissolved, causing her to have the orgasm of her life before she would run her car into the next building. It was rather the fear that Ingrid would not show patience and would order her henchmen to slice her belly.

***

Isabelle couldn`t say for sure that one of the cameras was hidden inside the smoke detector, but it was placed right above her and somehow, she felt watched by the small white plastic box. Though the criminals had already seen every part of her body, she felt embarrassed, but there was little she could do to get herself into a more dignified position.

With her ankles tied to the lower bed posts, there was no chance for her to close her splayed legs. Isabelle had managed to sit up and to steady her upper body with her bound arms, but that position also didn`t leave anything to imagination. At least, she could now see the clock beside the door, telling her that some 90 minutes had passed.

An hour ago, Isabelle had heard noises from the adjacent apartment and she had thought of thrashing and screaming through her gag to make herself noticeable. However, she had remained silent. Her main reason had been not to endanger Sistine, but she also knew exactly what sight she would offer anyone who would enter. A naked woman, her legs spread and her breasts thrust out. On the bed, the pink vibrator was still lying between her thighs, pointing at her middle. Lioba had just forgotten it there, but of course, this would cause some rather lewd associations in any potential rescuer`s mind.

Beside the vibrator, she spotted Lioba`s panties. The question mark on the front panel seemed to ask her why she had chosen her own panties to be gagged with. Indeed, the substantial wad in her mouth was stifling and the taste was indeed as vile as ever. But at least, it was her taste and not that of the other woman in Mike`s – Ozzie`s! – life.

Her thoughts wandered back to when she and Mike had first met. He had knocked her unconscious, left her bound and gagged – and kept her panties as a souvenir. A strange sound came from Isabelle`s throat and even she could not have said whether it was a sob or a chuckle.

When they had separated for the first time, it had in the end been three pairs of her panties Mike had taken with him: the second pair, she had given him as payment for saving her from another predicament and the last one, she had given to him deliberately.

»He has saved me quite often, I have to give the damned bigamist that!«

Isabelle could imagine Mike entering the room. Unlike the heroes in films, he would not rush towards her and ungag her, let alone cover her bareness gentlemanlike with his jacket. Instead, he would make some joke about her expecting him with open legs instead of open arms or something like that.

»And yet, if this would happen right now, I would not only forgive him his lame puns, but also banging this long-legged Carpathian bitch!«

Isabelle gulped. The taste of her saliva, filtered by her panties, reminded her of reality and she suddenly became angry of herself.

»I am a Policewoman, for God`s sake! And all I do is sitting on my ass and cry about my miserable life, waiting for the hero to rescue me!«

She groaned angrily and pulled on her bonds, only causing the clothespins on her nipples to shake as she moved her upper body. Before frustration could completely take over, Isabelle`s eyes once again fell on the vibrator that was some eight inches away from her womanhood. A thought came up in her mind, an idea that had to do with the pink toy, but wasn`t sexual. Then, this idea became clearer and clearer.

»Okay! If the camera is really right above the bed, I will definitely lose all remnants of dignity – alas, beggars can`t be choosers!«

She let herself sink back on the bed and then, she arched her back, thrusting her pelvis towards the ceiling. Whoever was observing her currently would be able to look directly inside her, but Isabelle persisted and arched her back even more so she could push her hands closer to the vibrator. She then grabbed the bed sheet and crumpled it and after some strenuous minutes, she felt the plastic head touch her fingers. For a second, she thought whether the vibrator was Lioba`s, but she shooed away that and managed to grab it. Slowly, she let her butt sink down on the bed and pulled the vibrator under her body.

»You never know when ballet lessons can become useful!«, Isabelle thought, panting from the effort. Now, her litheness had done its duty and she would need her dexterity.

The closest Isabelle had been to a vibrator so far had been when she had found one in her sister´s drawer, but she was sure that these things weren`t computer science. All she had to do was-

WRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

Isabelle gasped and reared up when the toy suddenly came to life. Hastily, she tried to switch it off, but the damned machine kept on vibrating between her buttocks. Her first impulse was to push the thing away, but then, the girl thought twice:

»If the asshole watching me thinks it is as it looks like, this will be an excellent distraction!«

And so, she again grabbed the vibrating stick. Since she had to work behind her back anyway, she closed her eyes. She wriggled as her hands explored the toy and her cheeks were aflame from the show she was offering.

»If the Carpathian Bitch enters right now, Mike may have her, for I will die from embarrassment!«

However, she forced herself to continue and finally, she was able to unscrew the end. The vibrations stopped and a few seconds later, Isabelle could remove the cap. Her chest was heaving and she opened her eyes.

»The guy on the camera must think I am very easy to please!«, she thought and could not help giggling hysterically. However, she then continued her work.

At the inside of the cap, a small spring was attached, to ensure electric contact and to push the first battery against the second. Isabelle managed to remove the spring and with nimble fingers, she also screwed the cap back in place.

Before Isabelle could do anything else, she could hear the opening of the apartment`s door. A few seconds later, Lioba entered the bedroom.

»I got here as fast as I could – oh!«

Her eyes fell upon the crumpled bed sheet and the tip of the vibrator protruding from between Isabelle`s legs. Though she knew that she had a perfect, non-sexual explanation, Isabelle blushed all over.

The telephone interrupted the humiliating moment.

»Sorry, I should answer to that!«, Lioba said as if this was a normal conversation. She left the bedroom door open, allowing Isabelle to watch her. She could not hear what the other person was saying, but according to Lioba`s reaction, it was Ingrid or one of her henchmen.

To Isabelle`s dismay, Lioba suddenly reached under her dress`s skirt and a moment later, she held some small plastic bag into the air.

»That`s all I could find! Now, tell me where to put it and then, let Sophia, Luana and Sistine go! We have fulfilled our part of the agreement, now, it`s your turn!«

What followed was a prolonged monologue from Ingrid. Isabelle could see Lioba gulp and occasionally look at her.

»Oh my God, somehow, I fear that this is far from being over!«

Lioba only uttered a »Yes« from time to time, her expression showing anger and frustration. When she hung up, she hissed a curse in German of which Isabelle could only understand that she was referring to Ingrid`s ancestors in a not very polite way.

»Mhhmmm?«

Lioba took a few deep breaths. Then, she kicked off her high heels and reached behind her back, opening the zipper of her dress. When it fell, Isabelle could not help staring at her nude body. She was still sporting the rope harness and the crotch rope seemed to have found a way even deeper inside her.

Lioba wriggled down her pantyhose and groaned when she had to crouch to get it down her legs. When she was naked except for the ropes, she slowly approached the bed.

»Hmm? Uuhhmmph?«

Lioba shrugged and showed an apologetic grimace.

»Sorry, I am not allowed to free you! They – they made me listen to Sophia. She was obviously gagged, but the way she moaned told me that we better do what they say!«

Lioba stepped closer and leaned forward, putting her hands on the bedframe. Isabelle now could see that the other woman was obviously exhausted from whatever she had experienced. Then, Lioba forced a ghost-like smile on her face.

»If it makes you feel better, I am also not allowed to get rid of these goddamn ropes!«

Isabelle just stared at her and Lioba continued:

»Ingrid said that soon, some of her accomplices will come to get the stuff I found at Leduc`s lab. She insisted that I would not look overdressed in comparison to you when they arrive!«

Isabelle`s eyes widened. The idea of being naked, bound, gagged and spread when some criminals entered the room wasn`t very appealing to her. She moaned and as if Lioba had read her thoughts, she said:

»Ingrid hasn`t said what they will do to us. She only promised that we would be left alive, at least as we would continue to be that obedient. Her words, not mine!«

Lioba suddenly rushed for the nightstand and grabbed her cigarettes and lighter.

»Sorry!«, she apologized as if passive smoking was Isabelle`s biggest concern. She even went for the balcony door and though she left the curtains closed, she put it ajar before lighting her cigarette. After a few draws, she sighed and said with a hoarse voice:

»Ingrid ordered me to announce one thing to you. She – she said that her henchmen would take care that we would be compensated for the boring night. She promised we would get some very memorable experiences, as she put it. And by the way she giggled, I am afraid that she and her comrades will definitely keep that promise!«

***